Method and system for interactive virtual customized vehicle design, purchase, and final acquisition

ABSTRACT

An electronic system for the customization, visualization, integration, purchase, and acquisition of a vehicle from a vehicle manufacturer. The system is implemented on a computer server or equivalent device, where the server, operated by the manufacturer, is accessible over the interne via a suitable end-user operated computing device, the server generating a menu driven visual interface viewable on the computing device. The system allows for all aspects of a customized vehicle purchase to be performed by the user, substantially streamlining the selection and acquisition process. The system can be interfaced with third party parts databases, allowing for incorporation of parts from a variety of manufacturers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/654,021filed on Dec. 8, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic commerce. More specifically,it relates to a system for performing virtual customized vehicle designincluding component allocation and pricing; as well as financing,purchase, negotiation, and final acquisition using an interne capablecomputing device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the development of electronic commerce in recent years, there hasbeen a substantial increase in the availability and sophistication ofcommercial websites specializing in the sale and distribution of variousproducts and services. These websites typically have software interfaceswhich allow consumers, or potential consumers, to browse products andservices prior to selecting and finalizing a sale for a particularproduct, service, or combination of products. For certain products,specifically those which are customizable by the addition or subtractionof various components or subcomponents, it is desirable to provide aninterface which allows the user to select the various components to beassembled, and/or added or subtracted to an underlying base product. Themore sophisticated of such interfaces also allow the user to visualize acompleted version of the product, while also providing information onthe pricing of the product.

Still other interfaces associated with commercial sites allow forperforming various actions relating to the completion of a transactionfor the sale of customized goods and services including various methodsfor payment. However, these interfaces have limited capability forallowing a user to perform all of the necessary steps for customizing aproduct such as a vehicle, as there are many issues which arise from theacquisition and integration of disparate components from a plurality ofmanufacturers and/or dealers, primarily issues involving the price,availability, and even compatibility of components selected forinclusion with the final product, as well as the price and availabilityof the completed product. A single interface which allows a user toresolve all of these issues is the primary object of the invention.

The following known prior art has been directed to providing a summaryof the various systems of the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,192 issued to Ellis et al., discloses a system whichallows for customizing a vehicle and viewing a virtual image of thevehicle prior to purchase.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,542,925 issued to Tung discloses a system forcustomizing a plurality of domestic environments, complete withvisualization of completed environments, which allows a user to selectand have shipped a desired combination of furniture and interior decoritems.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention comprises an electronic system for thecustomization, visualization, integration, purchase , and acquisition ofa vehicle; the system implemented on a computer server or equivalentdevice, where the server is accessible over the interne via a suitableend-user operated computing device, the server generating a menu drivenvisual interface viewable on the computing device. The system allows forall aspects of a customized vehicle purchase to be performed by theuser, substantially streamlining the selection and acquisition process.Once a vehicle is selected using the system interface, a threedimensional simulation is presented on the user device, along with anadditional menu for selecting various components to be added to thevehicle. Selected components are displayed positioned at the appropriateposition on or within the vehicle, the system automatically configuringthe view most suitable for providing a realistic virtual image of thecomponent in situ. In addition, the system will show the manufacturer'ssuggested retail price (MSRP) for the vehicle as currently configured,with the price updated in real time as components are added/deleted. Thesystem can be configured for direct access by the user or for accessthrough a dealer website, where, in the latter case, an adjusted pricebased on a particular dealer's pricing schedule will be displayed. Onceall components are selected, the system will interface with the vehiclemanufacturer's inventory database to search the inventory to ensurechosen component parts/options are in stock and if not, expected date ofreceipt, and reserve the chosen component parts/options and schedule thevehicle in the manufacturer's production schedule. If the system isaccessed through a dealer website, the interface will then offer anopportunity to negotiate a final sales price with the dealer, offerfinancing and payment options either through the manufacture's ordealer's financing options, and at the end of the process provide anelectronic and/or print out of a sales agreement.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide acomprehensive system for performing virtual customized vehicle designincluding component allocation and pricing; as well as financing,purchase, negotiation, and final acquisition using an interne capablecomputing device.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a comprehensive systemfor performing virtual customized vehicle design which can be used todesign any motor vehicle including, but not limited to, automobiles,motorcycles, and RVs.

It is another object to provide a comprehensive system for performingvirtual customized vehicle design which can be implemented through adealer website.

It is another object to provide a comprehensive system for performingvirtual customized vehicle design which allows for the inclusion of bothcomponents available from the manufacturer of a particular vehicle andcompatible components from other manufacturers.

It is another object to provide a comprehensive system for performingvirtual customized vehicle design which allows the user to access priceand availability of selected components.

It is another object to provide a comprehensive system for performingvirtual customized vehicle design which allows for display of arealistic three dimensional virtual image of a selected vehicleincluding real time depiction of the vehicle as various components areadded/deleted.

It is another object to provide a comprehensive system for performingvirtual customized vehicle design which allows for negotiating a finalsales price for a customized vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a comprehensive systemfor performing virtual customized vehicle design where a manufacturerbuilds custom vehicles exclusively in accordance with the method of theinvention to substantially reduce parts inventory.

Finally, it is a general goal of the invention to provide improvedelements and components thereof in a system for the purposes describedwhich is fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Thus it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this inventionare myriad and the particular preferred embodiment described herein isin no way meant to limit the use of the invention to the particularfield chosen for exposition of the details of the invention.

A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which thisinvention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and istherefore not provided herein. Some of the more obvious applications arementioned herein in the interest of providing a full and completedisclosure of the unique properties of this previously unknown generalpurpose article of manufacture. It is to be understood from the outsetthat the scope of this invention is not limited to these fields or tothe specific examples of potential uses presented hereinafter.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

The present invention meets or exceeds all the above objects and goals.Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, furtherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image of a vehicle shown on a productdisplay screen to be customized in accordance with the inventive system.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the overall system of theinvention illustrating the interconnection of the various computingresources necessary to perform the several functions of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the system of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a webpage associated with the system ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a representation of a webpage associated with the system ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a representation of a webpage associated with the system ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a representative vehicle displayed on asimulated webpage, generally designated by the numeral 10, is shown, thevehicle 10 to be customized and, if desired, purchased using the systemof the present invention. The vehicle 10 can be modified bothcosmetically and mechanically to enhance either aesthetics orperformance or both. A key aspect of the invention is that a vehicle maybe customized by the addition or removal of external and internalcomponents using the system of the invention, with the resulting changein appearance, if any, being viewable on a product display screentransmitted to a user operated computing device or terminal 12. Inaccordance with the method of the invention, the customized vehicle 10would be available directly from a vehicle manufacturer (Ford, GM),where the manufacturer includes the selected components prior toshipping to a dealer selected by the user as described below. It can beappreciated that the vehicle manufacturer is in the best position todetermine the compatibility of customizing components, and is thereforebest able to choose the components from a wide variety of availablecomponents which can be most effectively integrated with a givenvehicle.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, the system 14 may be provided assoftware for use with a host data processing or computing facility 18.Single user operated computing devices such as a PC 12 may beselectively connected by one or more electronic networks 19 to variousremote computing resources 16, including the host computing facility 18of the present invention, either by wire or wirelessly via, e.g., theinternet or world wide web 19. The computing devices 12 are operated byusers authorized by the e.g., automobile manufacturer or dealer, toaccess system 14, the level of access granted being variable. Typically,a user will not have full access to the system 14 until registering withthe system and providing at least some identification, the details ofthe registration process being outside of the scope of this application.However, prior to accessing the system, the user will have to enter atleast some data, including at least first and last name, e-mail address,phone number, street address including zip code, with the system 14including a log in screen (not shown) displayable on the user terminal12 to allow for the entry of the data. This minimal entry of data willlimit casual price shopping to preserve system 14 computing resources,and can also be used by the system to determine delivery times anddealer locations as will be described in more detail later.

The host computing facility 18, which is of course typically operated byan entity engaged in the business of providing computing services andassociated software to commercial entities (manufacturers of vehicles inthe present example) engaged in interstate commerce as noted above, mayinclude one or more servers 21 for volume data and program storage,including the software application necessary to implement the system 14,and allows for inputting, accessing,(i.e. data capture), and editing alldata necessary to allow the user of, e.g., a PC 12 to select, customize,and finally purchase an automobile. At least one intelligent clientassociated with the servers 21 allows for limited and secure access tothe servers 21. The host computing facility 18 allows for selectivelyaccessing the remote computing resources 16 (e.g., manufacturer'sservers for aftermarket manufacturers of the various components) forperforming the various tasks associated with the system 14, theresources 16 providing data relating to price, availability,compatibility, as well as other information necessary for theimplementation of the system 14 as will be explained in more detaillater. System administrators associated with computing facility 18 serveas a human interface to the system 10 and perform various tasks such asupgrading software, hardware maintenance, and communicating variousreports and messages to users, including those associated with themanufacturer and or dealer of automobiles, or aftermarket manufacturers,as is known in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is represented as a threedimensional image which may be from an actual photograph. In any event,the image of the vehicle 10 would be made as realistic as possible usingCAD/CAM techniques as is known in the art. The vehicle 10 to becustomized includes many interior and exterior components. By way of anexample, two such components, the grill 30 and rims 32 are to beselected for customization by the user of PC 12. The display screen orwebpage 33 displaying the selected vehicle includes variousicons/textboxes to allow the user to navigate the selection andcustomization process. A column of textboxes 34, 36 includes identifyingindicia appropriate to the component to be considered by the user. Inthe present example two textboxes 34, 36 are shown, but in practice manywill be displayed corresponding to a complete list of components whichcan be added to the particular vehicle selected. The list of componentsavailable for any particular vehicle will of course vary, as will thetextboxes 34, 36 and the underlying links. The user can request to viewa selected component by clicking (with a computer mouse or equivalentwebpage navigating device available for the end user device 12) on aparticular textbox, for example textbox 34 labeled grills, which allowsthe user to navigate to another webpage displaying actual images, e.g.JPEG photos, of an array of grills 30 available for the particularvehicle 10 selected. The navigation process will be a function ofunderlying “links”, i.e. URLs associated with data processing resources18, 16 of the manufacturer of the particular component selected.Clicking on the textbox 34 will thus cause the user to navigate to awebpage hosted by data processing resource 18, the webpage having aplurality of components displayed thereon. The user can then doubleclick on the photo of a particular one of the components whereupon alink to a complete virtual or actual image of the component is made. Theimage is accompanied by text data indicating price, availability,manufacturer, and model no. of the selected grill 30 and is displayed inblock 35, after the user is automatically navigated back to the webpage33. If, for example the user selects grills 30, then all grills 30available for the selected vehicle are shown, including those availablefrom the manufacturer of the selected vehicle 10. If the grill 30selected is available from an aftermarket manufacturer, then the userwill be navigated to a resource 16 corresponding to the aftermarketmanufacturer so that the selected grill image is displayed in block 35,though this process can be transparent to the user as is known in theart. If the user decides to add a particular grill 30, the image of thegrill 30 may be double clicked which, after returning to webpage 33 anddisplaying the image of the component in block 35, also causes a displayof a virtual image of the vehicle 10 with the selected grill 30. Thisaction is repeated for every component to be selected until the usercompletes the customization process. It should be noted that all aspectsof the vehicle configuration will be customizable using the webinterface 33 as shown in FIG. 1 including, but not limited to, vehiclecolor, engine size, interior treatments, rims, tires, grills, hoodornaments, spoilers etc. Also, in the case of interior treatments, whichincludes dashboard and console configurations, materials, trim, and seatand floor mat colors, a simulation of the vehicle interior will beshown, the display being facilitated by way of a suitable CAD/CAMprogram configured in accordance with the specific requirements of thesystem of the invention. For example, if the user chooses a fullcomplement of oval gauges, with walnut trim, black leather seats, andgold floor mats, the display in FIG. 1 will display, with sufficientresolution and detail, the selected vehicle interior with the layout asmodified by the components chosen. The particular component underconsideration (i.e., the most recent component selected) will bedisplayed in box 35, with the text data as described above.

The image displayed in box 35 will include the estimated delivery timeto the manufacturer of the vehicle 10 of the selected component. It canbe appreciated that the system 14 of the invention would require somecooperation of the vehicle manufacturer with manufacturers of variousaftermarket components, including compatibility of image data associatedwith the aftermarket components as displayed on the computing resources16 associated with the aftermarket manufacturers, as well ascompensation agreements and any other arrangements to ensure theefficient delivery of a selected component as would be apparent to oneof skill in the art. The delivery time of a selected component isviewable by the user of device 12. Also, the user can click on aparticular part of the vehicle 10 as displayed in FIG. 1 to display aparticular component in box 35. For example, the user can position thenavigating device on wheels 32 to display a selected component forwheels 32 in box 35. Thus, the user can view image and availability dataof each component selected in box 35, with the default image in box 35being the last component added. If the user is not satisfied with thedelivery date or the appearance of a selected component, she can chooseanother component.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a flowchart illustrating the method of theinvention is shown. It should be noted that while the invention isimplemented as software on a computer server 18 in communication with anend user device 12, the final result, in the event of a purchase, is acustomized vehicle which may be an automobile, motorcycle, RV, SUV, orboat. Thus the invention is equally applicable to virtually anycommodity which is modifiable by the addition or removal of componentshaving an impact on the overall aesthetic or functional qualities of thecommodity. The term block or step are used interchangeably and areconsidered equivalent. The first step of the invention after theinitialization of a web browser on the user device 12 is the display ofthe web page provided by the, e.g,. manufacturer of a vehicle to bepurchased, which web page prompts the user for the type and model of thevehicle to be customized as shown in block 102. Once the user (the termuser hereinafter referring to the user of the end user device 12 unlessotherwise indicated) enters the identifying information as describedabove, the interface or webpage 33 is shown allowing for the display ofthe vehicle, along with the components and options such as rims 32,wheels, grills 30, fabric options, vehicle color options, etc. asindicated in block 104, and described in more detail above. Also, theMSRP of the vehicle is displayed, as well as the possible delivery datein text box 39 as will be discussed in more detail later. The image ofthe vehicle 10 is displayed, modified in accordance with the user'sselection, updated in real time also as discussed above.

Decision block 106 indicates the recurring steps of selecting andviewing (step 104) a component on or in a virtual image of the vehicle10 (FIG. 1) until all desired corrections or changes are made. Once theuser is satisfied with the vehicle 10 and the selected components asdisplayed in FIG. 1, he can click the seek icon 37 which causes server21 to initialize a final search of all relevant databases, includingthose databases associated with server 21 and resources 16, and advancesthe system to block 108. The server 21 database will include allcomponents available directly from the vehicle manufacturer. Theresources 16 searched by the server 21 include, but are not limited to,databases of the vehicle manufacturer subsidiaries and manufacturers ofaftermarket products as shown in block 108, to ascertain that theselected components are available as indicated during step 104. Theupdated, customized vehicle displayed at step 104 (FIG. 1) includes adisplay of the price data (MSRP), which data includes the price forindividual components available as discussed above. In block 110, thesystem 18 will determine, and display in FIG. 1 (39), an approximatedelivery date of the customized vehicle 10. The determination of thedelivery date will be based upon a number of factors including theshipping time and delivery of selected components, and the backlog ofexisting orders for vehicles 10 if any. If the delivery date shown inblock 110 (FIG. 1) is not acceptable, then the user may navigate back tothe step shown in block 104, to determine, inter alia, which componentsare delaying the delivery date and perhaps choosing other componentsusing the method as described above, before progressing again to step106 as shown in block 112. A key aspect of the invention is that thevehicle 10 delivery date can be advanced by selecting more readilyavailable aftermarket components if the user so desires, with the systemallowing some transparency regarding which components are delaying thedelivery date as discussed above. Otherwise, if the delivery date isacceptable, the customization process is complete and the user proceedsto step 114 by clicking on the next icon 41 (FIG. 1) to viewparticipating dealers and select the most convenient dealer location 43,45 as seen in FIG. 4. The dealer location will be based upon the user'sgeographical location which may be determined by the user entering thelog in/registration data as described above, the user selecting amaximum radius to limit the display of dealers to those within areasonable distance if desired. The user may then proceed to thefinancing/documentation step as shown in block 116, by clicking on nexticon 51 as seen in FIG. 4. During this step, displayed in FIG. 5, theuser is shown a number of financing options, along with the appropriateforms for proceeding with the application for financing process, whichforms are accessed by clicking on a desired option 53, 55. The formspresented to the user at this point will be those prepared by theselected dealer, and the vehicle price (MSRP) will be adjusted inaccordance with the dealer pricing schedule. Of course, the financingdocumentation will include all data relevant to the dealer, alreadyfilled in the appropriate boxes/columns, such as make, model, options,price, etc. The user of course fills in the necessary finance data, suchas income, desired monthly payment, etc. After selecting a desiredfinancing option and filling out the appropriate forms, the user maythen either complete the transaction by printing out (block 117) andphysically presenting the accumulated documentation to the dealer, whichdocumentation will include information regarding the vehicle make andmodel, the components and relevant part numbers selected by the user,and the financing documentation as shown in block 116, or the user canproceed with the fully online option as shown in block 118, ifavailable. It can be appreciated that not all manufacturers would desiresuch a complex transaction to be carried out online with the possibilityof internet fraud so this option may only be available to a certainclass of users as determined during the log-in and registration process,with the type of verification and documentation required being solely atthe discretion of the manufacturer and/or dealer. If the end user device12 is at the dealer's store location, then the user will be limited tothe physical presentation option of step 116. If the user proceeds withthe online option of step 118 by clicking on next icon 61, then anadditional interface may be presented as shown in FIG. 6 at the optionof the dealer selected, which interface will allow for some degree ofnegotiation of the price, and all allow for the secure entry of datanecessary to complete the transaction. At this point, a representativeof the selected dealer may be notified by the server 18 of an ongoingnegotiation, and intervene to conduct an online or telephonicnegotiation to both expedite and refine the process. Methods ofnotification may include an internet message (IM) directed to personneldesignated for continuous monitoring of online negotiations. The system14 thus allows the dealer to expedite and streamline sales initiated byan interne user, but only after the user 12 has indicated a high levelof interest in purchasing the vehicle, to avoid burdening the dealerpersonnel with users that are merely price shopping. Of course, thesystem 14 can be used to alert the dealer as soon as the dealer has beenselected by the user.

Once the user has completed the customization, financing, and pricenegotiation, if any, a final date for delivery of the vehicle 10 isestablished, and the user then acquires the vehicle.

It is to be understood that the provided illustrative examples are by nomeans exhaustive of the many possible uses for my invention.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims:

I claim:
 1. A method for selecting, customizing, and purchasing avehicle from a vehicle manufacturer having a plurality of dealerscomprising the steps of: providing a computing facility associated withsaid manufacturer, said facility networked with an end user terminal toallow for the exchange of text and image data therebetween, saidcomputing facility also networked with a plurality of data processingresources associated with manufacturers of aftermarket components oroptions compatible with said vehicle; providing a three dimensionaldisplay of said vehicle viewable as part of a product display screen onsaid user terminal, said product display screen including identifyingindicia corresponding to a currently selected component or optionavailable with said vehicle; providing at least a two dimensionaldisplay of said currently selected component or option on said productdisplay screen in response to a user request, said display includingdata indicating both price and availability data of said selectedcomponent or option; providing a three dimensional display of saidvehicle configured with one or more of said components or options;whereby a user can determine an approximate delivery date from one ofsaid dealers of said vehicle configured with one or more of saidcomponents or options.
 2. The method of claim 1 including the step ofproviding a list of dealers within a predetermined radius from the user.3. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a separateviewing area on said product display screen for display of saidcurrently selected component or option.
 4. The method of claim 3including the step of providing the display of said currently selectedcomponent or option in said separate viewing area in response to a userrequest.
 5. The method of claim 1 including the step of providing a listof said dealers within a predetermined distance from said user.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 including the step of providing financing options forpurchasing said vehicle.
 7. The method of claim 1 including the step ofproviding negotiating options for said user.
 8. The method of claim 1including the step of providing notification to a representativeassociated with a selected one of said dealers in response to the userselecting one of said negotiating options.
 9. A method for selecting andcustomizing a vehicle from a vehicle manufacturer having a plurality ofdealers comprising the steps of: providing a computing facilityassociated with said manufacturer, said facility networked with an enduser terminal to allow for the exchange of text and image datatherebetween, said computing facility also networked with a plurality ofdata processing resources associated with manufacturers of aftermarketcomponents or options compatible with said vehicle; providing a threedimensional display of said vehicle viewable as part of a productdisplay screen on said user terminal, said product display screenincluding identifying indicia corresponding to a currently selectedcomponent or option available with said vehicle; providing at least atwo dimensional display of said currently selected component or optionon said product display screen in response to a user request, saiddisplay including data indicating both price and availability data ofsaid selected component or option; providing a three dimensional displayof said vehicle customized with one or more of said components oroptions; and, delivering said customized vehicle to said user.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 including the step of providing a list of dealerswithin a predetermined radius from the user.
 11. The method of claim 9including the step of providing a separate viewing area on said productdisplay screen for display of said currently selected component oroption.
 12. The method of claim 11 including the step of providing thedisplay of said currently selected component or option in said separateviewing area in response to a user request.
 13. The method of claim 9including the step of providing a list of said dealers within apredetermined distance from said user.
 14. The method of claim 9including the step of providing financing options for purchasing saidvehicle.
 15. The method of claim 9 including the step of providingnegotiating options for said user.
 16. The method of claim 9 includingthe step of providing notification to a representative associated with aselected one of said dealers in response to the user selecting one ofsaid negotiating options.